Just received 1st order from HVH.

[Novella]

Think this is the right section.
Just opened the box, and WOW, two well started plants, I thought the 4" plant was going to be tiny but to my surprise they are pretty big. Few questions, I went with Bountiful and Red Giant, both pots barely have an soil in them, should I add more to it? I'm leaving them in the 4" pots they are in for a week or two and then well set them up in two nice pots. Also there is this cube type foam at the base, do I leave this on or take it off? Its basically the only thing sort of holding the plants upright as I mentioned there is a lack of soil in the pots. All in all two very nice looking plants. Thanks very much. If there is anything I might be missing that I need to do or any tips is more than welcome.

[Charlie]

Hi Novella, welcome to the forum!

Since you plan to move the plants into larger pots soon, it won't make much difference if you add soil now to the smaller pots. The roots will not have time to grow into the new soil before you transplant, so there's no point to doing it.

If your 2 new plants arrived without showing any signs of stress like wilted leaves, then you do not have to wait more than a couple of days before repotting. We highly recommend you look over the section of the HVH web site called Potting/Planting as well as the directions on the Care sheet that came with the hibiscus. That web page is at http://www.hiddenvalleyhibiscus.com/care/potting.htm

When you repot set the root ball deep enough so that the new soil covers the "Cube" and the main stem of the plant has plenty of support so it does not wobble. If it will be in a windy area you can also use one of the bamboo stakes to give the main stem support until it is strongly established and does not need the stake any longer. To do that insert the stake about a half inch away from the main stem so that it is pointing straight up. Attach it to the main stem at one or two points using the green twist ties that also were part of the packaging. Allow some space between the main stem and the bamboo so the stem can grow and air can circulate.

If you have any other questions, please let us know.

Charlie

[Novella]

Charlie,

 No wilted leaves at all, looked like they arrived over night, soil was still moist and all. Thanks for great plants. Day 1 outside and I noticed some new growth starting to sprout by dusk. I'll follow your advice on repotting. So far so good.

[Charlie]

That's all good news. The very best thing you can do for the hibiscus is to feed them regularly with HVH Special Blend fertilizer. It makes a huge difference in growth and health and eventually blooming.

Charlie